Alstom obtains EBA certification for its concrete slab track solution for main lines

Alstom has received recognition from the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (EBA), the German Railway Federal Authority, for NBT, its concrete slab track solution for high-speed and conventional rail systems. This non-ballast track solution has been developed for mixed traffic at a maximum operational speed of 360 km/h.

The EBA classified NBT as “Zulassung zur Betriebserprobung”, i.e. “Approved for operating testing”. The EBA is recognised worldwide for its experience in the slab track homologation, which is carried-out in the past 40 years on the German high speed railway network.

Two main actors of the railways German community have worked closely with Alstom to obtain this approval: The TÜV (TÜV Rheinland InterTraffic GmbH / ACR - Assessment & Certification Rail Office), a recognised international group that acts as Notified body (NoBo) and TUM (Technical University of Munich) with their Department of Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering.

Alstom co-developed NBT for main-line owners seeking a concrete track i.e. a railway track with extensive lifespan and high infrastructure availability, which can be installed faster than traditional slab track, and be operated for mixed traffic (both passenger-dedicated and freight transport). NBT has an innovative slab design inspired from concrete pavement experience. The construction process is derived from the service-proven Appitrack technology which allows higher construction rates with 300 m of track laid per day and schedule of track laying reduced by 40%.

About Alstom

From trains to services and from signalling to infrastructure, Alstom is a leading supplier of integrated mobility solutions. Alstom manages all the stages in setting up an integrated metro system, from its design, to its complete validation and commissioning. With 17 integrated metro projects awarded in cities such as Panama (L. 1 and 2), Guadalajara (Mexico), Los Teques (Venezuela) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) - one of the largest turnkey metro projects ever launched, Alstom is a world leader in this area.